Intel i7-14700 vs. i5-12600K Features?

Started by thisisjentse on May 25, 2024

CPU INTEL 14700 12600K

Any advice on choosing between the Intel Core i7-14700 and Intel Core i5-12600K? I'm looking for a CPU that delivers excellent performance in gaming, general apps, and professional tools.

Solved by ActuallyMaarten in post #2
Both the Intel Core i7-14700 and the Intel Core i5-12600K are great choices, but they have some differences. The Intel Core i7-14700 vs. Intel Core i5-12600K at TechReviewer provides an in-depth comparison. To summarize, the i7-14700 has 20 cores, 28 threads, a base frequency of 2.10 GHz, and a max turbo frequency of 5.30 GHz for its performance cores. It also lacks overclocking support but offers DDR5 with a max stock speed of 5600 MHz and PCIe 5.0 support. The i5-12600K, on the other hand, has 10 cores, 16 threads, a base frequency of 3.70 GHz, and a max turbo frequency of 4.90 GHz for its performance cores. It supports overclocking, has DDR5 with a max stock speed of 4800 MHz, and also offers PCIe 5.0 support.

Both the Intel Core i7-14700 and the Intel Core i5-12600K are great choices, but they have some differences. The Intel Core i7-14700 vs. Intel Core i5-12600K at TechReviewer provides an in-depth comparison. To summarize, the i7-14700 has 20 cores, 28 threads, a base frequency of 2.10 GHz, and a max turbo frequency of 5.30 GHz for its performance cores. It also lacks overclocking support but offers DDR5 with a max stock speed of 5600 MHz and PCIe 5.0 support. The i5-12600K, on the other hand, has 10 cores, 16 threads, a base frequency of 3.70 GHz, and a max turbo frequency of 4.90 GHz for its performance cores. It supports overclocking, has DDR5 with a max stock speed of 4800 MHz, and also offers PCIe 5.0 support.

Solution

Thanks @ActuallyMaarten! I see that both CPUs have PCIe 5.0 support and DDR5 memory. The i7-14700 has more cores but lower base frequency while the i5-12600K has fewer cores but higher base frequency. How important is it to have a high base frequency in my scenario?

I think a higher base frequency can be beneficial for general apps and professional tools, as well as gaming if you're running multiple applications simultaneously or doing resource-intensive tasks like video editing. However, if your primary focus is on single-threaded performance or specific games that benefit more from raw horsepower, the i7-14700 with its higher turbo frequencies could give you a better edge.

Adding to what @herrokatie said, it also depends on how much heat dissipation and cooling solution you can handle. The i7-14700 might require a more powerful cooler due to its lack of overclocking support but higher base frequency.

@ActuallyMaarten, @herrokatie Thank you for your insights! I'm currently limited by my CPU cooler, so that's something to consider. Also, the TechReviewer article you mentioned earlier is really helpful!

I recently upgraded to the i7-14700 and have been happy with its performance so far. It handles gaming well, though I do have to adjust some settings on games that are less optimized. For professional tools, it has been a powerhouse.

@Chiefshow That's great to know! Thanks for sharing your experience!

Just remember that the i7-14700 doesn't support overclocking like the i5-12600K does. If you think you might want to push performance even further, the i5-12600K could be a better choice.

@ActuallyMaarten True! I'll definitely keep that in mind. Thanks for all your input!

In the end, it really comes down to your specific needs and budget. Both CPUs are capable of delivering excellent performance. It's just a matter of finding the right balance between core counts, base frequencies, and other features.

@herrokatie Very well said! Good luck with your decision!

Thanks everyone for your advice! I'll weigh my options and make a decision soon.